In this year’s celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, few will want to draw attention to the interaction of John Calvin and Michael Servetus, except by way of apology for the Genevan reformer’s part in his condemnation and execution for heresy. The Reformers, however, were unstinting in their defense of the civil government’s responsibility toward God and his word. If we are to honor our fathers, we should at least give Calvin a fair hearing.